Ad: Manage updates with the Download App
ie8 fix

Windows XP forum: Grinding/Clicking noises from the hard drive--virus related?

by: space-wolf October 30, 2006 6:14 AM PST

Like this

0 people like this thread

Staff pick

Grinding/Clicking noises from the hard drive--virus related?

by space-wolf - 10/30/06 6:14 AM

(PC Details: Windows XP, HP Pavilion 743c, 2.4GHz Intel pentium, 512MB SDRAM, ~4 years old)

I've read several threads here already discussion hard drive noises where the culprit seemed to be a hardware problem. But I'm not certain if my PC is showing all the right 'symptoms' for it to be hardware-related.

1) The clicking noise occurs at start-up and *mostly* (85-90% of the time) during internet browsing.

2) The sound itself is unusual--please don't laugh, I can only use onomatopoeia to describe it--but preceeding each click, there's a grinding ''shhhhhrrrrp'' sound.

3) The duration of the clicking episodes vary. Sometimes it will click for 15 seconds (timed) and other times it will continue for as long as a minute and a half.

4) The clicking does *not* always occur on startup. This morning, it turned on just fine, noise-free. And now as I type this, it gave off two clicks.

5) Almost always, web browsers will stop responding during these clicking sessions. Occaisionally, the PC will freeze up or restart of its own accord.

6) I've run personal diagnostics and performed a systems check at pcpitstop.com, and received no error messages except a yellow flag on my uncached speed.

7) No Blue Screen of Death has occurred, but twice last week on start-up, the PC locked.

This is a long list of weirdness and I appreaciate it very much if you've been able to read through it all. Is there anything I can do to salvage my baby?

Thank you for any and all suggestions!

~Anne


Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Dying HDD

by jackson dougless - 10/30/06 7:22 AM

In Reply to: Grinding/Clicking noises from the hard drive--virus related? by space-wolf

I'd still place my bets on that drive giving you practically everything but smoke signals that it's on its way out.

I'd be looking to get a replacement drive ASAP, and transferring important data. There's no telling when that drive will give out for good, so get the data while you still can.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Damn.

by space-wolf - 10/30/06 7:56 AM

In Reply to: Dying HDD by jackson dougless

Thank you so much for the advice, Jackson. I think I'm in denial, just clinging to a shred of false hope. *lol* But since all the signs are pointing to a dying hard disk, I'm doing just what you said--backing up files and shopping for a new drive.

Please forgive this possibly dumb question, but will I have to repurchase Windows XP? A couple of years ago, I ordered hard copies of the recovery CDs--would that be sufficient?

~Anne


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Doubtful

by jackson dougless - 10/30/06 11:12 AM

In Reply to: Damn. by space-wolf

Though HP tends to do some screwy things with their systems, so can't say for certain. However, there's a very good chance it will be completely problem free.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Clicking noise

by matrixx11011 - 11/13/06 12:16 PM

In Reply to: Grinding/Clicking noises from the hard drive--virus related? by space-wolf

I wouldn't replace your hard drive just yet. It is possible that the actuator is starting to make contact with the platter and causing the noise that you are hearing, however, I wouldnt settle for that answer until you at least run a CHKDSK. You can run it from the command line by typing CHKDSK -R

If any physical errors or bad sectors are reported, you'll probably want to replace the hard drive.


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

Old memories resurface here

by Aivas - 11/13/06 1:08 PM

In Reply to: Clicking noise by matrixx11011

I knew a misspent youth would come in handy some day.

For those who used to tune up their own cars, and repair them through necessity (my brother and I co-owned a Model A Ford in the '70s--which meant it was broke 30% of the time)--

For those who kept (or still keep) their own bicycle in good shape--

A 'clicking' or 'grinding' sound means you better have something ready to replace what's about to go...no foolin', no kiddin', and no wasting time.

Bob K


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

The drive went *kaput*

by space-wolf - 4/29/07 2:46 PM

In Reply to: Old memories resurface here by Aivas

You guys were totally right. After posting this, I backed up all the files I could and packed up the PC. My family and I moved halfway across the US during the holidays, and all our stuff came out of storage just last month.

And then my old HD went *poof*!

I've installed a 250GB Western Digital EIDE drive in it's place, and BIOS is recognizing it (it shows the model number and info for the Western Digital drive when I look at the system specs). But when I try to run the Windows XP system recovery disks, I receive the following error message:

"No hard disk found.
System recovery cannot be continued!"

Any thoughts or advice for this wayward PC user? happy


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

XP (notice just X and P) doesn't support over 127GB drives.

by R. Proffitt Moderator - 4/29/07 2:53 PM

In Reply to: The drive went *kaput* by space-wolf

More at http://www.48bitlba.com Your new hard disk should have included a note about this. If the BIOS doesn't list the drive you'll need a BIOS update unless the cables are dead, not plugged in or the jumper is incorrect, no power to drive or "other."

Read http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_alp.php?p_cv=1.130&p_cats=130&p_prods=0

Bob


Was this reply helpful? (0)   (0)

Staff pick

Reply
Report offensive post
Email to friend

More Discussions

Forum Icon Legend

  • UnreadUnread
  • ReadRead
  • Locked threadLocked thread
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • ModeratorModerator
  • CNET StaffCNET Staff
  • Samsung StaffSamsung Staff
  • Norton Authorized Support TeamNorton Authorized Support Team
  • AVG StaffAVG Staff
  • avast! Staffavast! Staff
  • Webroot Support TeamWebroot Support Team
  • Acer Customer Experience TeamAcer Customer Experience Team
  • Windows Outreach TeamWindows Outreach Team
  • DISH staffDISH staff
  • Dell StaffDell Staff
  • Intel StaffIntel Staff
  • QuestionQuestion
  • Resolved questionResolved question
  • General discussionGeneral discussion
  • TipTip
  • Alert or warningAlert or warning
  • PraisePraise
  • RantRant

You are e-mailing the following post: Post Subject

Your e-mail address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the e-mail and in case of transmission error. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose.

Sorry, there was a problem emailing this post. Please try again.

Submit Email Cancel

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

Thank you. Sent email to

Close

You are reporting the following post: Post Subject

If you believe this post is offensive or violates the CNET Forums' Usage policies, you can report it below (this will not automatically remove the post). Once reported, our moderators will be notified and the post will be reviewed.

Offensive: Sexually explicit or offensive language

Spam: Advertisements or commercial links

Disruptive posting: Flaming or offending other users

Illegal activities: Promote cracked software, or other illegal content

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Submit Report Cancel

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

Your message has been submitted and will be reviewed by our staff. Thank you for helping us maintain CNET's great community.

Close

You are posting a reply to: Post Subject

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks is prohibited. Please refer to the CNET Forums policies for details. All submitted content is subject to CBS Interactive Site Terms of Use.

You are currently tracking this discussion. Click here to manage your tracked discussions.

If you're asking for technical help, please be sure to include all your system info, including operating system, model number, and any other specifics related to the problem. Also please exercise your best judgment when posting in the forums--revealing personal information such as your e-mail address, telephone number, and address is not recommended.

Sorry, there was a problem submitting your post. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem generating the preview. Please try again.

Duplicate posts are not allowed in the forums. Please edit your post and submit again.

Submit Reply Preview Cancel

Thank you, , your post has been submitted.

> Click here to view your post. > Manage your tracked discussions. > Track this discussion. Close

Thank you, , your post has been submitted and will appear on our site shortly.

Close